The Wrestler

I saw a DVD copy of this movie in the cheap bin for $3 so I decided to buy a copy. I heard about it many years ago in wrestling magazines, and the general consensus was that it's considered to be a poor movie.

If the point of movies is to keep the audience entertained, then I think it succeeds. It is certainly better than the other kayfabe movies "No Holds Barred" and "Ready to Rumble" who seem to treat the subject matter with disrespect. I also liked it better than the other movies that break kayfabe, "Beyond the Mat" and "Wrestling with Shadows".

A lot of 1970s wrestling stars make appearances and cut pretty good promos, even though they are from well before my time: Dusty Rhodes and Superstar Billy Graham are the ones that stood out the most for me. I wish Ric Flair had a more prominent role, but in fairness, he was just a rookie then.

Quite simply, this movie should be remembered as a pure piece of Americana at its finest. In 1973 wrestling promoter Verne Gagne took some of the best wrestlers in the pro wrestling world and got them to make a movie about pro wrestling. The movie, 30 years in retrospect, looks more like a cheeky documentary produced in the classic "kayfabe" style (the traditional promotion of wrestling as a sport, cloaked in mystique and tradition).

The wrestling talent is pure, raw and unadulterated - featuring stars such as Dick the Bruiser, the Crusher, Nick Bockwinkle, Ric Flair, Dory Funk Jr, and "Dirty" Dick Murdoch, Dusty Rhodes and many others - all young and in just starting to hit their peaks. And in a rare appearance, Vincent J. McMahon, the progenitor of the now popular WWF/WWE - promoting pro wrestling in the old style, before the glitz, glamor and entertainment hoopla surrounding it. Verne Gagne himself also appears in this movie as one of its main stars, putting himself over the competition in his typical egotistical, yet entertaining, style.

But this movie isn't all wrestling. There's a good story to be told here, essentially giving the viewer the feel as if they've cut right into the middle of a traditional wrestling program. There is no real start or ending to this story, but it is another chapter in the daily struggle of faces and heels.

Ed Asner is the main star here, his acting ability along with his middle-age looks are a perfect fit for the character, he really does look like a wrestling promoter trying to keep his business together and defending it from the outside corrupting influences of a local mobster (played by legendary wrestler & commentator "Slammin'" Sam Menacker).

There is no comparison to any other wrestling movie made, this one is definitely the undisputed heavyweight champion!

I wouldn't say this movie is great, nor the cinematography is good, but to see those wrestling legends of the former AWA at a time where wrestling was purely less artificial as it is today (even WWE's Vince McMahon late dad is there) is a treat. And Ed Asner really shooting in Minneapolis (instead of some Hollywood studio passing for this city's TV station...) is a change.

Most of the wrestling demonstrations here are interesting, reminescent of the old-style wrestling that most of us real wrestling fans miss today. Sad that the dramatic part and the script is poor, but the wrestling moves and seeing those old pros (majority is still alive today) are the only things saving this movie for being a total bore.

See it to realize that wrestling was even more fun on these days than all the superficial shows that are shown today. When Pro Wrestling was pro wrestling at its best !

It is impossible to give an exact picture of an endeavor such as Pro Wrestling. One has to experience it for oneself. THE WRESTLER does a pretty good job of telling the story.

Basically it is a semi-autobiographical story of starring wrestler, Verne Gagne.A Minnesota native,Gagne himself is and has been a great athlete for most of his life. He excelled in the Simon Pure amateur ranks of the mat sport and was an end on the Golden Gofer Football Team while attending University of Minnesota. That was followed by a stint in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II.

Following a brief fling in the World of Professional Football*, it was in about 1949 that he came to the Pro Grappling ranks.His ability,youth and good looks (remember, this was the beginning of the television age)catapulted him to the top, where he remained for years.

Okay, we know that there is a big show business component in the Pro Wrestling game. In most areas it is advertised as an exhibition.But don't make the mistake that the participants aren't a tough lot of performers. In varying degrees, there are some tremendous exponents of out and out hand to hand combat.There are some truly big men, with big egos to match.

And just how does this writer know this? Well, I was a Pro Wrestler. For about seven years, I spent some of my leisure time as a part time mat man. Basically referred to as a "Job Man" on the big circuits, the best matches for a guy like me were at small town events.

Anyway, back to THE WRESTLER.

It was shown quite a bit on the Drive-In circuit and at minor "neighborhood" movie houses. Oddly enough, it also had a run at the Monroe Theatre, right in the heart of downtown Chicago. That's where we saw it.

It is Verne Gagne's picture. He and the American Wrestling Association undoubtedly financed it. And it looks very good, what with the filming done mostly, if not all on location.While it is familiar to fans of the Pro Game, it gives enough background to serve those who are uninitiated in the viewing audience.

Simply put, the story is one of mortality in a business that (much like Hollywood) expects its participants to remain as young as they were in their first bout.The leading character, the Promoter,Frank Bass (Asner), knows that it is his job to keep the action at the top fresh and exciting. This must be done, even if it means putting his long time friendship for the Champ,Mike Bullard (Gagne) on the line.

Finally, the big match is made between Champion and the talented, but still inexperienced challenger,Billy Taylor (Billy Robinson). In the end, we all realize that what Mr. Shakespeare said so long ago is as still true today, especially in The Pro Mat Game. It is the play that is the most important thing, not any individual.

Viewing this film would be a good idea for anyone, wrestling fan or not. THE WRESTLER gives a rare glimpse into the phenomenon of Professional Wrestling. It is more than just a "sport". It is a genuine piece of Americana.

* Gagne was also chosen as a member of the 1949 College All Star Team as an end and played against the NFL Champs that year.

UPDATE!!! Feb. 06, 2006, Chicago, Illinois We just viewed the new DVD edition of THE WRESTLER, yesterday after THE SUPERBOWL. It really looks so much better than the previous VHS version. The VHS release looked kind of worn,as if it were made from a used 35mm print of the movie, which it probably was.

The look and feel of this is much better than previously recalled by this reporter. It is coherent, logical and treats its subject matter with respect, all without neglecting some humor and high spots (action.)

This may be an all time neglected sort of "minor masterpiece".

As a long time wrestling fan, I've always heard about The Wrestler, but I'd never seen it before today. I saw it in a discount store for $5 and figured what the hell, take a chance. It's not a bad film considering the era it was made in and who the stars are, but to anyone who follows wrestling or knows the behind the scenes info, it's quite amusing.

The character of Verne Gagne as almost-over-the-hill champ Mike Ballard is an ironic figure when you consider that while he was still in good shape as the movie showed, the real Verne Gagne was indeed in the same boat as Mike Ballard. The irony comes in when one considers that Verne was not only the World Champ of the AWA, he was also the promoter. His unwillingness to put over (lose to) an up and coming challenger left his AWA title somewhat of a joke as no one really got a chance until Verne retired in 1981. By then it was too late to salvage the damage done by having a balding, aging, old timer as champ in a era dominated by youth as the AWA was basically dead in the water in 1988 before offically closing shop in 1990.

As far as the movie goes, it's actually not as bad as you would think a film with nearly an entire cast of wrestlers would be. Luckily for the viewer Verne chose guys like Billy Robinson, Dusty Rhodes, and Lord James Blears to have the main roles since they have enough personality to distract the audience from the fact that its a movie full of mainly non actors.

All in all its a great movie for wrestling fans, and even if you aren't a fan it's still not a terrible flick.

Just try to not laugh too hard when you watch the movie and you consider that Verne Gagne is the guy who let Hulk Hogan sign with the WWF since he didn't think he had a future in the wrestling biz.